2024 National Championship Finals Report
Despite top press predictions and kind words from the audience, silverware was not to be for Perthshire Brass as we finished 16th in the National Finals.
Despite top press predictions and kind words from the audience, silverware was not to be for Perthshire Brass, as we finished 16th out of 20 on our trip to the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain.
The band set off from Perth on Friday morning but due to poor traffic conditions only reached our Cheltenham hotel in the evening, before a quick toping and tailing of the piece we have come to know and enjoy over the last few months - Peter Yorke's "The Shipbuilders”.
A Saturday morning draw meant a very early start for the band. Fortunately, band secretary Linda Croft drew band number 14 which meant we had time to relax in the hotel and for some, a wander around a very beautiful morning in Cheltenham before playing.
Come afternoon the band made our way to the famed Centaur racecourse where we gave a performance which found favour with brass band media, singling out the duetting parts of our "Kate Winslet (Cornet Rachel Whiteman) and Leonardo DiCaprio" (Euphonium George Annan).
Not the only A listers in the band, we also took to the stage with our bear mascot "Harold", in place of repiano cornet player Harry Cooper, who unfortunately took ill recently and had to withdraw from rehearsals. Harry was missed on our weekend away and the band wishes him a speedy recovery.
Having played in the back half of the draw there wasn't a long wait for results, but enough time for a spate of predictions to come in suggesting we place in the top 3, including from 4BarsRest, as well as a strong writeup from British Bandsman. However, come adjudication the band ultimately finished 16th out of 20 and we could only concede that the bands ahead of us had given very fine performances.
Not to be downbeat, we soon found ourselves in a beer garden befriending the locals before going out to dinner en masse and enjoying a few drinks with our new friends and loyal supporters.
Returning to the hotel bar we bumped into a Welsh band in our section, Crwbin Silver Band and thoroughly enjoyed their company into the small hours. Crwbin, we promise to look out for your successes in Welsh Regionals and National championships to come.
The 380-mile return leg on Sunday meant another early start for the band for what would be a quicker but rainy drive back up the road. A massive thank you to our driver Jane and Bay Travel for their professional expertise.
The band will next be in contest action at the Band Supplies Scottish Challenge on home turf at Perth Concert Hall on Saturday November 16th, before taking our place in the second section at the Scottish Championships in March 2025.